Roman Currency for most of Roman history consisted of gold, silver, bronze, and copper coinage. From its introduction to the Republic, during the third century BC, well into Imperial times, Roman currency saw many changes in form, denomination, and composition. A persistent feature was the inflationary debasement and replacement of coins over the centuries. Notable examples of this followed the reforms of Diocletian. This trend continued into Byzantine times.

Unlike most modern coins, Roman coins had (at least in the early centuries) significant intrinsic value. Also, over the course of time the purity and weight of the silver coins were reduced.

Throughout most of the Second Century AD, the mint of Rome exercised a virtual monopoly in the product of the regular Roman coinage. Cistophori were still struck at various mints in Asia Minor down to the time of Hadrian, but apart from these no other mints appear to have been active until the time of the civil war between Septimius Severus and Pescennius Niger (193-4AD).

The reign of Gordian III was the last period of mint monopoly which the Capital of the Empire was destined to enjoy. Under Emperor Valerian, there were some very important developments significant of the future trend towards decentralization in the Roman Mint system. Previously closed mints reopened their doors, and gold coinage was allowed to be minted outside of Rome.

The Roman Imperial Mints include, but are not limited to: Rome, Thessalonica, Siscia, Alexanderia, Nicodemia, Londinium (the Great London Mint), Heraclea, and Constantinopolis.